Physical geography and geomorphology (2024) 47, 1–2 (123–124), 53–57

https://doi.org/10.17721/phgg.2024.1-2.06

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Differentiation characteristics of the modern anthropogenic landscapes of the North-East slope of the Great Caucasus
  

Sadullayev Rashad Rahib 

Baku State University, 33, Akademik Zahid Xəlilov St., Baku, AZ1148, Azerbaijan

 

Abstract

The study of the differentiation characteristics of modern anthropogenic complexes is one of the main issues of landscape science. The dynamics and forecasting of anthropogenic landscapes have an important role in the effective placement and proper management of regional farms, as well as in the organization of natural environment protection. Within the Republic of Azerbaijan, the modern anthropogenic landscapes of the northeastern slope of the Great Caucasus were formed under the influence of complex long-term geographic-historical-economic factors. Compared to the other regions of Azerbaijan, the modern anthropogenic complexes of the northeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus are distinguished by their unique differentiation characteristics. The study of these regularities based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and satellite images (Landsat 7 ETM+, Landsat 8, CNES/Airbus) is of scientific and practical importance. The natural landscapes of the north-eastern slope of the Greater Caucasus have undergone fundamental transformation and have been replaced by various anthropogenic complexes during historical periods. From the coastal plains of the Caspian Sea to the Main Caucasus Range, the following anthropogenic complexes alternate: agro-irrigated landscapes of plains-lowlands (Samur-Devachi lowland), winter pastures and meadows, dry and episodic irrigated agrolandscapes of sloping plains (Gusar sloping plain), episodic highlands summer pastures and meadows of used subalpine-alpine meadows, subnival-nival landscapes of the highlands that are not changed experimentally. The differentiation and structural-functional characteristics of the North-Eastern slope of the Great Caucasus were studied by us on the basis of satellite images with the application of GIS. Regional satellite images show the intensity, extent of anthropogenic impacts, distribution over the area, etc., using the NDVI analysis method (unsupervised classification). Modern anthropogenic landscapes of the north-eastern slope of the Greater Caucasus are distributed along the vertical belt: 1) sharply changed natural complexes of lowlands and foothills; 2) fundamentally changed natural complexes of the middle highlands 3) natural complexes of the highlands that maintain their original state (practically unchanged). According to our analysis based on GIS, 98% (40,000 ha) of perennial crops, 93% (41,351 ha) of mowed areas, and 95.4% (107,900 ha) of cultivated areas are located at the altitude level of -28 m and -1000 m. 62% (272,740 ha) of the hypsometric step of the north-eastern slope of the Greater Caucasus up to 1000 m has been assimilated through agrolandscapes, and up to 10% (43,416 ha) through seliteb complexes.  

 

Keywords

Anthropogenic landscapes, northeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus, satellite images, landscape differentiation, Geographical Information  Systems (GIS), NDVI

 

Received: 20 January 2023 / Accepted: 26 March 2024 / Published online: 31 May 2024 

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